Banning marijuana doesn't make us safer

As a retired police detective, I know that the prohibition on marijuana reduces public safety ("Stirring the pot," Nov. 12).

My colleagues in Maryland spend tens of thousands of hours searching out and arresting people for possessing and smoking a green plant.

Meanwhile, pedophiles are left freer to rape our children, drunk drivers sail past traffic stops where police are looking for pot under some kid's front seat, and teens are shot because selling marijuana is their only opportunity for employment.

I challenge you to name one benefit, one advantage, of marijuana prohibition for the children of Maryland.